Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/263

 Early American Ballads. 251

So Adam was placed in a slumber, And lost a part of his side, When he awoke in a wonder, And beheld a most beautiful bride.

With transports he gazed upon her, His happiness now was complete, He thanked the most bountiful owner, Had helped him to a mate.

She was not taken out of his head, sir, To rule and triumph over man, Neither was she taken out of his feet, sir, For man to trample upon.

But she was taken out of his side, sir, Man's equal companion to be. When both are united in one, sir, How happily they do agree !

A man who lives single 's a beggar Though all the world he possess, If a beggar has got a good partner, Then all things in life will be blest.

Let not woman be despised by man, sir, For she is part of himself ; And woman by Adam was prized, sir, Far more than a globe full of wealth. 1

The humorous ballad may be represented by the following piece, to judge by the metre not very old, but traditionally current during the early years of the century : —

Beautiful Katie and the Gray Mare.

Young Johnny, the miller, he courted of late, A farmer's fair daughter, called Beautiful Kate, Whose wealth and fine fortune was full fifty pound, Silks, ribbons, and laces, and furbelowed gowns, Silks ribbons and laces and diamonds and pins, With sumptuous apparel and fifty fine things.

The day was appointed, the money was told ; It was a fine present in silver and gold. Now Johnny unto her father then said ; " Sir, I will not marry this beautiful maid, Although she is virtuous, charming, and fair, Without the addition of Tid, the gray mare."

1 Contributed by Mrs. E. Allen. Massachusetts, about 1800.

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